DNA Damage Response Constrains Cell Growth and Drives Clonal Hematopoiesis in Telomere Biology Disorders

Telomere biology disorders (TBD) are inherited diseases caused by genetic defects in telomere maintenance. Patients with TBD have critically shortened telomeres, leading to bone marrow failure (BMF) and an increased risk of myeloid neoplasms (MN). We conducted a study to understand the genetic changes driving clonal evolution in TBD patients and their distinct mechanisms compared to normal aging and sporadic myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We analyzed acquired genetic alterations in hematopoietic cells from 105 TBD patients. The diagnosis of TBD was made using a combination of clinical history, germline mutation status, and telomere length. Germline mutations were identified in 84% of patients, a family history consistent with TBD was seen in 46%, and 76% of patients had lymphocyte telomere lengths (TL)